Kurosawa Raion thought for a moment, then reached out toward the card in the middle.
Exciting times were coming…
The card slowly flipped over, revealing a line of small glowing text:
Thunder Release: Chidori Style (A-Rank) — A technique evolved from the original "Chidori," covering the entire body in thunder and lightning.
System: Congratulations! You have obtained the A-Rank Ninjutsu — [Thunder Release: Chidori Style].
As soon as the announcement was made, Raion's personal stats updated in real-time. In the [Ninjutsu] field, "Chidori Style" appeared. In the [Chakra] field, the value changed from 0/0 to 100/100, and his [Ninja Level] upgraded from Academy Student to Genin (Lower Rank).
He could feel it — energy surging through his body...
This was chakra — flowing through him for the first time!
Overwhelmed, Raion asked the system, "Why is my chakra reading as 100/100?"
System: "Since this is your first Ninjutsu draw, the system sets your chakra level according to the cost of the technique you've acquired. Releasing [Chidori Style] consumes 80 chakra, so the system has granted you a base of 100."
Raion's mind raced. "Wait, so if I had drawn a technique that required 9,800 chakra, my initial chakra limit would've been 10,000?"
System: "Exactly."
His curiosity spiked. "Then… what were the other two cards?"
Everyone has that same thought after making a choice — wondering what could have been.
System: "Hmm… not impossible. But are you sure you want to know?"
Raion: "Of course."
System: "Don't cry when you see it."
Raion: "Stop stalling and show me!"
The two remaining cards lit up with golden light once again. The one on the left flipped over first.
Wind Release: Rasenshuriken (S-Rank) — Naruto Uzumaki's first S-Rank technique, capable of devastating destructive power.
Raion was very familiar with it. In the original Naruto series, even using just half its power, Naruto managed to destroy two of Kakuzu's hearts and leave him crippled.
If that stung, the next reveal would break him.
"The one on the right...?" Raion asked with a heavy heart.
Slowly, the card on the right flipped over:
Impure World Reincarnation (S-Rank Forbidden Jutsu) — Summons the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, to fight on your behalf!
Raion nearly passed out.
As a Naruto superfan in his past life, he knew exactly what that meant — Senju Hashirama, the man who defeated Uchiha Madara, whose Wood Release rivaled a full-powered Susano'o.
If he had drawn that card… forget just Bucky — he could challenge the Four Emperors right now!
If only he had moved his hand three centimeters to the right. He might already be ruling the One Piece world…
But it was too late. The card he pulled was still A-Rank [Chidori Style].
He muttered bitterly, "I should've just left it a mystery…"
Then louder: "This has to be a joke, right?!"
System: "Bad luck. Don't blame me."
Raion: "..."
He couldn't help but wonder if the system had rigged the draw to mess with him. And later, something made him even more suspicious.
Turns out, the first Ninjutsu draw was supposed to be free all along.
That whole "1 million Beli" thing? A joke.
This system was clearly full of twisted humor.
But whatever. Time to test this new technique.
Thunder Release — Chidori Style!
The chakra within his body surged and burst outward. Lightning danced around him, lighting up the dark cabin like a thunderstorm in human form.
If anyone had seen him just then, they might've mistaken him for a literal god of thunder.
Grinning, Raion dismissed the technique and checked his chakra again.
Sure enough, it had dropped to 20/100 — just as the system said, Chidori Style consumed 80 chakra per use.
The technique had drained most of his strength in one go. Combined with the exhausting workday, fatigue hit him like a wave.
It was already past midnight.
Raion collapsed onto the floor and drifted into a deep sleep…
When Raion woke again, sunlight filtered faintly through the cabin cracks.
It was already noon.
He stood, stretched, and checked his chakra — fully recovered, 100/100.
Having gained real power at last, he was ready to break free from this hellhole.
He walked slowly toward the cabin door, now determined. Gathering a small amount of chakra into his fist, he punched.
BOOM!
The lower deck's wooden door wasn't built to withstand chakra-enhanced force — it blew apart instantly.
Raion stepped out onto the deck.
After so long in darkness, the sunlight stung his eyes. He shielded his face and looked around.
The ship had docked.
In the distance — a nightmare.
Smoke and fire rose from the nearby town. The screams of innocents mixed with the bloodthirsty howls of pirates. Scorched homes. Collapsed bodies. Chaos.
Raion's face hardened. "Could this be…?"
Six Hours Earlier…
As night fell, Bucky's ship arrived at Orange Town.
For the peaceful townsfolk, it was a day that would scar their lives forever.
They saw the looming pirate flag — a clown's grinning skull — and panic gripped their hearts. For over 40 years, no pirates had ever touched their town.
That era of peace… was ending.
As the people gathered in fear, only two dared to act:
Mayor Budol, the stubborn old leader.
Heka, the determined feed store manager.
They rallied what few were willing to resist, while others chose to flee or hide.
But the fight was already uneven.
On the bow of the ship, Bucky stood tall — arms folded, one boot resting on the railing. He sneered at the people below.
"You weaklings think you can defy me?"
Behind him, five large cannons were wheeled into position. Cold steel barrels aimed directly at the town...
And that's when hell began.